About The times. (Gainesville, Ga.) 1972-current | View Entire Issue (Nov. 15, 2018)
LOCA^STATE The Times, Gainesville, Georgia | gainesvilletimes.com Thursday, November 15, 2018 9A Kemp claims ‘insurmountable lead’ BY KATE BRUMBACK AND BILL BARROW Associated Press A woman holds a sign as state troopers look on during a protest in the rotunda of the state capitol building Tuesday, Nov. 13, in Atlanta. Several protesters, including a state senator, have been arrested during a demonstration at the Georgia state Capitol calling for tallying of uncounted ballots from last week’s election. As Democrats ratcheted up their attacks on Georgia Repub lican Brian Kemp, he claimed Wednesday that results certified by county election officials con firm he has an “insurmountable lead” in the governor’s race. At a news conference, Geor gia Democrats cast doubt on the legitimacy of any election count that ends with the former secre tary of state being certified as the winner of a fiercely fought elec tion against Stacey Abrams, who’s seeking to become the first black woman elected governor in the U.S. “We believe that Brian Kemp mismanaged this election to sway it in his favor,” said Abrams’ campaign manager Lauren Groh- Wargo, surrounded by Demo cratic lawmakers at the Georgia Capitol. Democrats beyond Georgia have started to echo the notion that a Kemp victory would be illegitimate. Ohio Sen. Sherrod Brown said Wednesday that if Abrams loses it’s because Repub licans stole the election. “If Stacey Abrams doesn’t win in Georgia, they stole it. I say that publicly, it’s clear,” Brown, speaking at a briefing for the National Action Network. Kemp’s campaign, which has repeatedly called on Abrams to concede, repeated that call Wednesday, saying Abrams and her support ers have used “fake vote totals,” “desperate press conferences” and “dan gerous lawsuits” to try to steal the election. “After all of the theat rics, the math remains the same,” Kemp campaign spokesman Cody Hall said in an email. “Abrams lost and Brian Kemp won. This election is over.” Since he declared himself gov ernor last week and resigned as secretary of state, Kemp’s lead has narrowed as counties have tabulated more ballots. And the numbers could change again as federal courts issue new guidance on counting certain provisional and absentee ballots. Groh-Wargo said Tuesday that the Abrams campaign believes she needs a net gain of 17,759 votes to pull Kemp below a major ity threshold and force a Dec. 4 runoff. Kemp’s campaign said even if every vote that Abrams campaign is arguing for is granted by the courts and counted for her, she cannot overcome his lead or force a runoff. The Associated Press has not called the race. Meanwhile, U.S. Dis trict Judge Steve Jones on Wednesday ruled that the secretary of state must not certify the state elec tion results without con firming that each county’s vote tally includes absen tee ballots on which the voter’s date of birth is missing or incorrect. The order stems from a request in a lawsuit filed Sunday by the Abrams campaign. But Jones also rejected the campaign’s other requests. He declined to extend the period during which evidence could be submitted to prove the eligibility of voters who cast pro visional ballots. He also declined to order that provisional bal lots cast by voters who went to a precinct in the wrong county be counted. The lawsuit was one of several election-related complaints filed before multiple federal judges. U.S. District Judge Leigh May ordered Gwinnett County elec tion officials Tuesday not to reject absentee ballots just because the voter’s birth year is missing or wrong. She also ordered the county to delay certification of its election results until those ballots have been counted. Jones’ ruling effectively extended May’s order to the other 158 counties in Georgia. U.S. District Judge Amy Toten- berg late Monday ordered state officials not to do their final certi fication of election results before 5 p.m. Friday. State law sets a Nov. 20 dead line, but secretary of state’s office elections director Chris Harvey testified last week that the state had planned to certify the elec tion results Wednesday, a day after the deadline for counties to certify their results. He said that would allow preparations to begin for any runoff contests, including those already projected in the races for secretary of state and a Public Service Commission seat. Totenberg’s order left untouched the county certifica tion deadline. Candice Broce, a spokeswoman for secretary of state’s office, said Wednesday that all counties but Gwinnett have certified their totals. Totenberg also ordered the sec retary of state’s office to establish and publicize a hotline or web site enabling voters to check whether their provisional ballots were counted and, if not, why not. And she ordered the secre tary of state’s office to review or have county election authorities review the eligibility of voters who had to cast provisional bal lots because of registration issues. With state lawmakers gathered at the Georgia Capitol Tuesday for the start of a special legisla tive session, dozens of protesters gathered in statehouse rotunda, loudly chanting “Count every vote!” and waving signs with the same slogan. Police arrested 15 people, including state Sen. Nikema Williams, an Atlanta Democrat. Police zip-tied Williams’ hands behind her back and led her to one of two vans holding other arrested protesters. She gave a tearful speech on the Senate floor Wednesday, saying she was booked and strip- searched at the Fulton County jail and held for five hours. She said her 3-year-old son heard news of her arrest on the radio and told a babysitter: “That’smommy.” “I didn’t do anything to obstruct anyone from doing their job or their business on the floor,” Wil liams said. “What I did was I stood with my constituents as they wanted their voices to be heard.” The Georgia Constitution says legislators “shall be free from arrest during sessions of the General Assembly ... except for treason, felony, or breach of the peace.” Four Democratic lawmakers delivered remarks in the Senate condemning Williams’ arrest. No Republican senators stood to address Williams’ arrest. GOP Lt. Gov. Casey Cagle asked the Republican chairman of the Senate Public Safety Com mittee to meet with authorities “to look at the facts sur rounding this issue and see if we can bring some kind of resolve to the mat ter at hand.” Senate President Pro Tempore Butch Miller (R - Gainesville) said in a statement Wednesday that “While I was not at the Capitol when certain events transpired (Tues day), I understand that emotions are high regarding the outcome of events. While all parties are try ing to sort out what exactly took place, I stand in support of my col league Senator Nikema Williams and law enforcement whose duty is to protect us all. I commend Lt. Governor Casey Cagle for his proposal to have both sides heard and understood so we can have a clear understanding of what hap pened. We need to look into events like this to ensure that everyone’s rights are protected, along with peace and order being secured. No harm should come to anyone or any forum involved and that includes law enforcement.” AROUND THE STATE ATLANTA Chick-fil-A, DoorDash partner for home delivery Chick-fil-A customers no lon ger have to go get their chicken because the chicken will come to them. The company is partnering with DoorDash to offer home delivery from more than 1,100 of its restaurants nationwide. Par ticipating restaurants will deliver everything on the menu to cus tomers within a 10-minute radius. In a statement, Chick-fil-A senior vice president Jon Bridges says delivery is one way to help its busy customers get a “quick yet high quality meal.” Chick-fil-A has been testing DoorDash delivery since 2017 in select markets. Chick-fil-A and DoorDash will give away up to 200,000 chicken sandwiches until Nov. 20 when placing an order through Door Dash. The giveaway is exclu sively available through the DoorDash app and website with a $5 minimum order when using a promo code. I AWRFNOFVII I F Inmates pen letter in support of slain police officer Inmates at a Georgia deten tion center have sent a letter expressing their condolences to the family of a slain police officer and other local law enforcement. News outlets report the Octo ber letter was shared online Sat urday by the Gwinnett County Sheriff’s Office. It says police Officer Antwan Toney’s slay ing last month was “a tragic incident that never should have occurred.” It also thanks public safety and emergency personnel for their service. Toney was fatally shot while was responding to a report of a suspicious vehicle. One suspect in that shooting was later killed by another officer when police say he was confronted, refused to surrender and armed himself. Another suspect, 19-year-old Isa iah Pretlow, was charged with aggravated assault. The sheriff’s office says it’s “deeply appreciative” of the letter. Associated Press Miller OBITUARIES Richard M. Hollje Nov. 14, 1958-Nov. 3, 2018 Richard M. Hollje, 59, of Gainesville passed away Nov 3 2018. Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. Satur day, Nov. 17, 2018, in the chapel of Memorial Park Funeral Home with the Rev. Drew- ery Loggins officiating. Born on Nov. 14,1958, in Denver, Colo., he was the son of Norma Long Hollje and the late Charles Hollje. He was employed at McKes son Pharmaceutical and of the Baptist faith. Mr. Hollje is survived by his mother, Norma Hollje of Plano, Texas; daughter, Denver Whatley of West Tawakoni, Texas; son, Seth Hollje of Gainesville. Send online condolences to www.memorialparkfu- neralhomes.com. Memorial Park Funeral Home, Gainesville Sign the online guest book at gainesvilletimes.com. The Times, Gainesville, Ga. Nov. 15, 2018 Donald Matheson Jan. 14, 1948- Nov. 13, 2018 Donald Matheson, 70, of Dawsonville passed away Tuesday, Nov. 13, 2018, at Northside Forsyth Hospital following a short illness. Donald was born Jan. 14, 1948, to the late Bob and Regina Matheson. A native of Helen, Ga., he lived most of his life in Dawson County. For many years he traveled the country as a pharma ceutical salesman in the poultry industry. After his retirement and for the past 10 years he enjoyed selling boiled peanuts at the Trac tor Supply in Dawsonville. When he wasn’t working he enjoyed spending time at his place on the river in Helen. His grandkids were his life and he enjoyed every minute he got to spend with them. An active member of Liberty Baptist Church, he was also preceded in death by a sister, Connie Clark, and a brother, Buck Matheson. Surviving are his wife of 52 years, Judy Mathe son, Dawsonville; sons and daughter-in-law, Chuck and Angel Matheson, Daw sonville, Cotton Matheson, Dawsonville; grandchil dren, Blake Matheson, Cody Matheson, Kate Williamson, Alexis Matheson; sister-in- law, Joan Matheson, Gaines ville; brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law, Jerry and Lynn Townley, Dawsonville, Jackie and Lynn Townley, Dawsonville; and a num ber of nieces, nephews and other relatives. Funeral services will be held Friday, Nov. 16, 2018, at 11 a.m. at Liberty Bap tist Church. The Rev. Den nis Bottoms, the Rev. Ruel Martin and the Rev. Ste phen Davis will officiate. Interment will follow in the church cemetery. The family will receive friends Thursday from 10 a.m. until 8 p.m. at the funeral home. Condolences may be expressed at www.bearden- funeralhome.com. Bearden Funeral Home, Dawsonville Sign the online guest book at gainesvilletimes.com. The Times, Gainesville, Ga. Nov. 15, 2018 Virginia Grace Roberts Aug. 18, 1934- Nov. 12, 2018 Virginia Grace Roberts, 84, of Flowery Branch passed away Monday, Nov. 12, 2018, at Northeast Geor gia Medi cal Center Braselton. Funeral services will be held at 3 p.m. Fri day, Nov. 16, 2018, in the Chapel of Memorial Park Funeral Home with the Rev. Brian Evans will offici ating. Interment will follow in Memorial Park Ceme tery. The family will receive friends at the funeral home on Thursday, Nov. 15, 2018, from 6 p.m. until 9 p.m. Born on Aug. 18, 1934, in Staten Island, N.Y., she was the daughter of the late Wil liam Howard and Margaret Valente Compton. She was retired from Reliance Elec tric and a member of Oak- wood Baptist Church. In addition to her parents, Mrs. Roberts is preceded in death by her husbands, James Donald Carder and Harold J. Roberts. Mrs. Roberts is survived by her sons and daughters- in-law, Barry and Opal Roberts of Flowery Branch, David H. and Tracey Rob erts of Flowery Branch; grandchildren, Tracy Kirk- ley, James Crow, Adam Rob erts, Jason Roberts, Tammy Martin, Timothy Roberts; 13 great-grandchildren; 2 great-great-grandchildren; brothers, Bobby Compton, Thomas Compton, Chuck Compton; sisters, Phillis Bredison, Betty Vaphidas, Joan Priola; and a number of other relatives. Send online condolences to www.memorialparkfu- neralhomes.com. Memorial Park Funeral Home, Gainesville Sign the online guest book at gainesvilletimes.com. The Times, Gainesville, Ga. Nov. 15, 2018 DEATH NOTICES Mary Bales Benefield Dec. 13, 1944- Nov. 14, 2018 Mary Bales Benefield, 73, of Flowery Branch died Wednesday. Funeral ser vice, 1 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 17, funeral home chapel. Little & Davenport Funeral Home and Crematory, Gainesville. Alice Jean Anderson Butler Sept. 4, 1931- Nov. 14, 2018 Alice Jean Anderson Butler, 87, of Dahlonega died Wednesday. Funeral service, 2 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 17, funeral home cha pel. Anderson-Underwood Funeral Home, Dahlonega. Louise Maude Cruse April 21, 1936- Nov. 13, 2018 Louise Maude Cruse, 82, of Cumming died Tuesday. Funeral service, 2 p.m. Fri day, Nov. 16, funeral home chapel. Ingram Funeral Home & Crematory, Cumming. Melanie Bertrand Farmer Sept. 15, 1981- Nov. 13, 2018 Melanie Bertrand Farmer, 37, of Cumming died Tuesday. Funeral ser vice, 2 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 17, funeral home chapel. Ingram Funeral Home & Crematory, Cumming. Donald Hugh Lunceford Sr. July 8, 1927-Nov. 14, 2018 Donald Hugh Lunceford Sr., 91, of Dawsonville died Wednesday. Funeral service, 3 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 17, funeral home chapel. Barrett Funeral Home, Cleveland. Margaret Obregon Naranjo Died Nov. 13, 2018 Margaret Obregon Nara njo, 80, of Alpharetta died Tuesday. McDonald and Son Funeral Home, Cumming. Jerry Ralph Peek Died Nov. 14, 2018 Jerry Ralph Peek, 92, of Gainesville died Wednes day. Little & Davenport Funeral Home and Crema tory, Gainesville. William Clay Strange July 30, 1931- Nov. 14, 2018 William Clay Strange, 87, of Cornelia died Wednesday. Funeral service, 11 a.m. Sat urday, Nov. 17, funeral home chapel. McGahee-Griffin & Stewart Funeral Home, Cornelia. Obituary information Death notices are printed free as a public service by The Times. More information can be provided in paid obituaries. The rate is $50 per 100 words (or any part thereof). There is an additional mandatory $40 fee for online services, which includes a guest book that allows family and friends to post condolences. Deadline for publication is 6:30 p.m. seven days a week. Death notices and obituaries are accepted only from funeral homes. They should be emailed to obits@gainesvilletimes. com. All submissions will appear in The Times and online at gainesvilletimes. com. For additional information, please call 770-718-3435 or 800-395- 5005, extension 3435, between 3 and 6 p.m. weekdays. To inquire about pricing packages available to memorialize a pet in print, please contact Megan Lewis at 770-535-6371 or mlewis@gainesvilletimes.com Pets at Peace will appear in The Times the last Sunday of each month.
